The French Revolution

Step One: Let's gather some background information. What was the basic story line of the revolution? Watch this video.

Make a list of at least five of the main events of the revolution.

Step Two: People always rebel for a reason, why did the French common people rebel?

France was one of the richest, most powerful, and politically free countries in Europe during that time. However, King Louis XVI was quite unpopular with the common people. They had to pay high taxes to the King while living in poor conditions, while people of higher classes - such as the nobility and aristocrats were exempt (they didn't have to pay taxes at all). Additionally, the French people were inspired by the ideas and freedoms of the American Revolution. For more info, click here.

Skim through the charts on the page and make your own T-chart where you compare and contrast the French revolution with the American revolution. You should have at least five bullet points on your chart.

Step Three: Were conditions really that bad?

In order to reign in his power, King Louis XVI had all of the noble class come live with in a giant castle called Versailles. Use the arrows to look through the slide show to see pictures of how the noble class were living. Write down what you notice.

Now write down what you notice about the common people of France. Use the arrows to look at all the pictures.

How do their lives seem different? Do you think this is unfair? Is it worth the reason to rebel?

Also, look at the picture on that same website. Why would someone paint a battle? What feelings about Bastille day do you think the artist was trying to portray.

Step Five: What was the Reign of Terror?

This was a period of time between September 5, 1793 and July 28, 1794 where nobles were executed in a public square by use a the guillotine. Click on the link, read the passage, and look at the picture. Why do you think they used the guillotine and execute people in a public place? Write down your answer.

Step Six: Why the guillotine?

Read this quote: "The guillotine is named for Dr. Joseph Ignace Guillotin, who endeavored to commission a device that would deliver a swift and honorable death to people of all classes. Before the French Revolution, only nobles were executed by decapitation -- other lower-class capital criminals were subjected to burning, drowning and maiming" (Discovery).

In The Hunger Games series, The Capitol tries to install fear into the people by making everyone watch the games. Do you think the revolutionaries had similar motives when they executed people in public squares?

Step Seven: So, what happened in the end?

In the end, the military was the only hope for France. One of their generals, Napoleon Bonaparte was quite successful. He rose as leader and made himself Emperor.

Is Emperor really that different from King?

Look at the picture of Napoleon and write down what you notice. How does he compare to the noble class? What are the similarities? Differences?

Once you have read think links, taken notes, and answered the questions, you are ready to start on the task. Click on the task tab at the top of the page.